EMTV - Philemon - 1

1:1  Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow worker,

1:2  to Apphia the beloved, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church at your house:

1:3  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1:4  I thank my God, always making mention of you in my prayers,

1:5  hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,

1:6  that the sharing of your faith may become effective in full knowledge of every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus.

1:7  For we have much thanksgiving and encouragement over your love, because the affections of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

1:8  Therefore, having much boldness in Christ to command you what is fitting,

1:9  rather on account of love I appeal to you—being such a one as Paul, the elder, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ—

1:10  I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment,

1:11  who formerly was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable both to you and to me,

1:12  whom I am sending back. You therefore receive him, that is, my very heart;

1:13  whom I wished to keep with myself, in order that on your behalf he might serve me in the bonds of the gospel.

1:14  But I wished to do nothing without your consent, in order that your good might not be by necessity, but rather voluntary.

1:15  For perhaps he was taken away for a time on account of this, in order that you might keep him eternally,

1:16  no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

1:17  If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me.

1:18  But if he has wronged you or owes anything, charge this to me.

1:19  I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay—not to mention that you owe me even your own self!

1:20  Yes, brother, may I have profit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord.

1:21  Having been persuaded of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even beyond what I say.

1:22  But meanwhile, also prepare for me a guest room, for I hope that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you.

1:23  Epaphras, my fellow captive in Christ Jesus, greets you,

1:24  as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers.

1:25  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.